Texas Department of State Health Services

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is the principal public-health agency of the U.S. state of Texas, operating under the state's Health and Human Services system. Headquartered in Austin, it carries out public-health functions for the state's population. Its responsibilities include disease surveillance and control, immunization programs, vital-statistics registration, regulatory and laboratory services, emergency preparedness, and health data and reporting. The department coordinates with local health authorities across Texas and with federal agencies on matters such as outbreak response and reportable conditions. As a state agency, its authority is defined by Texas law and it operates within the policies set by state government.